Cannes 2016, Day 1: And So It Begins

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"Cafe Society" & Opening Gala - Red Carpet Arrivals - The 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 11: A general view of photographers at the "Cafe Society" premiere and the Opening Night Gala during the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on May 11, 2016 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Clemens Bilan/Getty Images)

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"Cafe Society" Press Conference - The 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 11: (L-R) Kristen Stewart, Woody Allen and Blake Lively attend the "Cafe Society" Press Conference during The 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 11, 2016 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Pool/Getty Images)

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Dior Cannes Boutique Opening - The 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 11: Atmosphere at the Dior Boutique Opening celebration lunch during the 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 11, 2016 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Francois Durand/Getty Images for Dior)

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Dior Cannes Boutique Opening - The 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival

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"Cafe Society" & Opening Gala - Red Carpet Arrivals - The 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 11: A view of the red carpet during the "Cafe Society" premiere and the Opening Night Gala during the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on May 11, 2016 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)

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"Cafe Society" & Opening Gala - Red Carpet Arrivals - The 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 11: (L-R) Jury members Mads Mikkelsen, George Miller, Donald Sutherland, Katayoon Shahabi, Arnaud Desplechin, Kirsten Dunst, Valeria Golino, Laszlo Nemes and Vanessa Paradis attend the "Cafe Society" premiere and the Opening Night Gala during the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on May 11, 2016 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

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"Cafe Society" & Opening Gala - Red Carpet Arrivals - The 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 11: Actors Corey Stoll, Blake Lively, director Woody Allen, actress Kristen Stewart, actor Jesse Eisenberg and President of the festival Pierre Lescure attend the "Cafe Society" premiere and the Opening Night Gala during the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on May 11, 2016 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

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"Cafe Society" & Opening Gala - Red Carpet Arrivals - The 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 11: (L-R) Actresses Julianne Moore, Susan Sarandon and Naomi Watts attend the "Cafe Society" premiere and the Opening Night Gala during the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on May 11, 2016 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

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"Cafe Society" & Opening Gala - Red Carpet Arrivals - The 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 11: Actress Susan Sarandon attends the "Cafe Society" premiere and the Opening Night Gala during the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on May 11, 2016 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Dominique Charriau/WireImage)

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Opening Gala Ceremony - The 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 11: Host Laurent Lafitte and actress Catherine Deneuve kiss on stage at the Opening Gala Ceremony during The 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 11, 2016 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

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Opening Gala Ceremony - The 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 11: Jessica Chastain and Vincent Lindon attend the Opening Gala Ceremony during The 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 11, 2016 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

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Opening Gala Ceremony - The 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 11: M aka Mathieu Chedid performs on stage at the Opening Gala Ceremony during The 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 11, 2016 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

May 11, 2016

Festivals

Veterans of the Croisette say that there's only one thing that never fails in Cannes: the rain. The choices are: rain on opening day (and the next four days) or rain in the closing day (and the previous four days). Opening day was in the clear, and other Cannes staples were firmly in place this year: the media frenzy, the ritual montée des marches – the slow ascension of the huge staicase that leads to the Lumiére Theater, the crowing jewel of the Palais- and the assortment of stars, styles and poses.

All photos: Getty Images.